Daddy’s Digest has put together a set of pointers to help fathers understand the idea baby sleep environment.

Here is what you need to know.

1. Womb very noisy so quietness will leave the child feeling unsettled and vulnerable. Children don’t need complete silence to help them sleep. What they need is consistency. If they fall asleep to silence, a sudden sound may wake them up. If they fall asleep to noise, a change (less or more) in noise levels may wake them up.

2. Many parents choose to use white noise to help their babies sleep and block out sudden noises. E.g. sound of a fan or rain playing through an app or white noise device.

3. The white noise must be low-level and away from your baby to help protect your child’s hearing. To reduce dependency, you can try occasionally turning it off (times of the day when there are less unpredictable external noises).

4. Darkening your baby’s room or sleep area will help reduce stimulation, create a calming environment and remind them that it’s time for bed. Similar to sound, consistency is important as a change in light levels during sleep may wake them up.

5. Make the effort to block out external sources of light and sound. E.g. closing windows, doors and curtains. Black out blinds are very helpful but if they are not available, use aluminium foil which may be effective.

It is important to note that our guide is meant to give quick insight and outline the facts. Always consult with a qualified medical professional or childcare expert when taking important decisions regarding your child’s health.